What To Expect During a Stent Procedure

For Arteries Narrowed by Plaque

This procedure usually takes about an hour. It could take longer if stents are inserted into more than one artery during the procedure.

Before the procedure starts, you'll get medicine to help you relax. You'll be on your back and awake during the procedure so you can follow the doctor's instructions.

The area where the catheter is inserted will be numbed, and you won't feel the doctor threading the catheter, balloon, or stent inside the artery. You may feel some pain when the balloon is expanded to push the stent into place.

For Aortic Aneurysms

This procedure takes a few hours. It usually requires a 2- to 3-day stay in the hospital.

Before the procedure, you'll be given medicine to help you relax. If a stent is placed in the abdominal aorta, your doctor may give medicine to numb the area, but you'll be awake during the procedure.

If a stent is placed in the chest portion of the aorta, your doctor will likely give you medicine to make you sleep through the procedure.

Once you're numbed or asleep, your doctor will make a small cut in your groin (upper thigh). He or she will insert a catheter into the blood vessel through this cut.

Sometimes, two cuts (one in the groin area of each leg) are needed to place fabric stents that come in two parts. You will not feel the doctor threading the catheter, balloon, or stent into the artery.